Meaningful interhospital comparisons of infection rates in intensive care units.
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Cross Infection↗
Biomedical subjects
S Banerjee
Publications and source records attributed to S Banerjee.
Modulatory influence of sandalwood oil on mouse hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity and acid soluble sulphydryl level.
The effect of the oil from the wood of Santalum album on glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and acid soluble sulphydryl (SH) levels in the liver of adult male Swiss albino mice was investigated. Oral feeding by gavage to mice each day with 5 and 15 microliters sandalwood oil for 10 and 20 days exhibited an increase in GST activity in time- and dose-responsive manners. Feeding a dose of 5 microliters sandalwood oil for 10 and 20 days caused, respectively, a 1.80-fold (P < 0.001) and 1.93-fold (P < 0.001) increase in GST enzyme activity, while feeding a dose of 15 microliters of the oil per day for 10 and 20 days induced, respectively, 4.73-fold (P < 0.001) and 6.10-fold (P < 0.001) increases in the enzyme's activity. In addition, there were 1.59-fold (P < 0.001) and 1.57 (P < 0.001) increases in acid-soluble SH levels in the hepatic tissue of the mice following feeding of the oil at the dose levels of 5 and 15 microliters for 10 days. Furthermore, mice fed on a diet containing 1% 2(3)-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (positive control) also showed an increase in hepatic GST activity and SH levels. Enhancement of GST activity and acid-soluble SH levels are suggestive of a possible chemopreventive action of sandalwood oil on carcinogenesis through a blocking mechanism.
Animals↗
Cysteine, a chelating moiety for synthesis of technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals--Part IV. Benzyl cysteine and derivatives.
To explore the possibility of utilizing cysteine derivatives for technetium-99m radiopharmaceutical preparation with clinical potential, we synthesized two benzyl substituted cysteine compounds, namely, S-benzyl cysteine 1 and cysteine benzyl ester 3. It was expected, from our previous studies on benzoyl cysteines, that the above two ligands after chelation with 99mTc would be excreted by the hepatobiliary pathway. Although for 99mTc-3 the above expectation was realized, 99mTc-1 behaved in a most unexpected way by affixing itself with kidney and selecting the renal tubular secretory pathway for its excretion. It is anticipated that the affinity of 99mTc-1 for kidney is due to its interaction with the kidney sulphhydryl group and it also formed an adduct with other sulphydryl containing compounds like thiophenol. In terms of the kidney-to-background ratio, 99mTc-1 showed some superiority over other kidney structure agents, like 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid and 99mTc-glucoheptanoic acid and, therefore, the chelate (99mTc-1) may have the potential to replace the above two radiopharmaceuticals in clinical use.
Animals↗
Proxyl nitroxide of lithocholic acid: a potential spin probe for model membranes.
A new steroidal proxyl (2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-N-oxyl) nitroxide (SPN), with the proxyl nitroxide moiety in the pendant side chain of the steroid, has been synthesized. Its localization in lipid bilayers was ascertained with the help of 1H NMR and 31P NMR experiments. The effects of the nitroxide group in SPN incorporated into the bilayer on 13C relaxation times are interpreted qualitatively in terms of localization of the nitroxide group within the bilayer structure. The nitroxide SPN was used to monitor changes in membrane fluidity and permeability induced by local anaesthetics, mepivacaine and xylocaine and the antikeratinizing agent, azelaic acid. The results conclusively proved the applicability of the new steroidal proxyl nitroxide (SPN) as a potential spin probe for spin labeling studies.
Cyclic N-Oxides↗
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis in the management of nocturnal enuresis: a comparative study with imipramine therapy.
Various therapeutic modalities have been used for treating enuresis due to the lack of a single identifiable cause. We carried out a comparative study of imipramine and direct hypnotic suggestions with imagery used for the management of functional nocturnal enuresis. Enuretic children, ranging in age from 5 to 16 years, underwent 3 months of therapy with imipramine (N = 25) or hypnosis (N = 25). After termination of the active treatment, the hypnosis group continued practicing self-hypnosis daily during the follow-up period of another 6 months. Of the patients treated with imipramine, 76% had a positive response (all dry beds); for patients treated with hypnotic strategies, 72% responded positively. At the 9-month follow-up, 68% of patients in the hypnosis group maintained a positive response, whereas only 24% of the imipramine group did. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis strategies were found to be less effective in younger children (5-7 years old) compared to imipramine treatment. The treatment response was not related to the hypnotic responsivity of the patient in either group.
Adolescent↗
DNA synthesis occurs throughout the rat ventral prostate during its postnatal development.
We previously used autoradiographic methods to show that cells proliferate throughout the rat ventral prostate during its postnatal development (Biol Reprod 1991; 45:773-782). The objective of the present study was to quantify the extent to which DNA synthesis, and thus growth, occur in the distal and proximal segments of the rat ventral prostate. To this end, rats were administered 3H-thymidine in vivo. Subsequently, 3H-thymidine incorporation per prostatic segment and per micrograms DNA was determined, as was the number of labeled cells in the proximal and distal segments. We report that 3H-thymidine was incorporated into both the distal and proximal segments of the ventral prostate of rats 10, 20, 45, and 60 days of age, with significantly greater amounts (6-21 times) incorporated into the distal segment at each age. Consistent with this, the distal segment contained 5-20 times more labeled cells than the proximal segment. However, when 3H-thymidine incorporation was expressed per micrograms DNA, only relatively small, though significant, differences were seen between the distal and proximal segments of Days 10 and 20; and no differences were seen at Days 45 and 60. Taken together, these results strongly support the contention that DNA synthesis occurs throughout the rat ventral prostate, and suggests therefore that prostatic growth is not limited to the distal tips of the gland.
Aging↗
Treatment of achalasia.
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Catheterization↗
Estrogen carcinogenesis in the hamster kidney: role of cytotoxicity and cell proliferation.
Both natural and synthetic estrogens are capable of inducing renal neoplasms in Syrian hamsters with an incidence approaching 100%. Neither the sequence of events nor the mechanisms involved in estrogen carcinogenesis in this model have been established. Results presented here indicate that estrogen induces renal tubular damage in the hamster kidney that is progressive and cumulative. Tubular injury was evident both as abnormal or lost microvilli, accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets, vacuolization, and increases in secondary and tertiary lysosomes after 1.5 months of diethylstilbestrol (DES) treatment. Increasing tubular damage was evidence by the detachment of tubular cells, cell debris, and occluded renal tubular lumens. In an effort to repair proximal tubular damage in the hamster kidney elicited by estrogens, a 4.0-fold increase in proximal tubule BrdU labeling was evident at 4 months of DES or 17 beta-estradiol (E2) treatment and in earlier estrogen treatment periods (1-3 months). During this period, there was a significant increase in aneuploid cells in the hamster kidney, the near diploid frequency increased more than 6.0-fold, and the near tetraploid frequency increased at least 3.0-fold between 1.5 and 3.5 months of estrogen treatment. Based on these data, the early sequence of events leading to estrogen-induced renal neoplastic transformation in the hamster is presented.
Aneuploidy↗
Infectious diseases and mortality among US nursing home residents.
Data collected in the 1985 National Nursing Home Survey were analyzed to identify risk factors for infections and mortality and to explore their relationship in US nursing homes. An infection was recorded in 166,609 (14%) discharges. Risk of pneumonia was found to be higher among bedbound patients (54.5 vs 13.1 per 100 discharges); urinary tract and other infections were most frequent among residents with indwelling catheters (6.6 vs 1.0 per 100 discharges). Residents with pneumonia were more likely than those with other infections to die (35% vs 28%), or be discharged to hospitals if alive (94% vs 66%). Thus, immobility and catheterization were associated with infections in US nursing homes, and pneumonia was found to contribute to mortality.
Adolescent↗
Malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma: a case report.
A case report "Malignant Teratoid Medulloepithelioma" is herewith presented for its rarity. Medulloepitheliomas are embryonic tumors occurring infancy and are probably congenital. Occasionally they show glial tissue and cartilage.
Child, Preschool↗
The induction of arthritis in mice by the cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan: roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
Peripheral arthritis is produced in BALB/c mice after hyperimmunization with the cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan (PG). Adoptive transfer studies have suggested the roles of T cells including CD8+ T cells in the disease process. To evaluate the roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in vivo in the induction of this disease by immunization, PG-immunized mice were treated with isotype-controlled rat IgG2b monoclonal anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 antibodies, or were left untreated. CD4+ T cell depletion resulted in total inhibition of the disease with markedly decreased anti-PG antibody responses. CD8+ T cell depletion, however, significantly enhanced the severity of the disease without affecting peak anti-PG antibodies, as compared to the control mice. These results demonstrate a crucial role for CD4+ T cells in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, CD8+ T cells do not seem to be required for the induction of arthritis by immunization but instead may play an immunoregulatory role.
Aggrecans↗
Hyperon production from proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt s =1.8 TeV.
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Journal Article↗
Erratum: Oblique electroweak corrections and new physics
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Journal Article↗
DNA polymerase beta mutations in human colorectal cancer.
Increasing numbers of alterations have been found in protooncogenes (e.g., ras, myc), as well as tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53, Rb) in various types of tumors. The multiple mutations cannot be explained by the spontaneous mutation rate. It has been suggested that mutator phenotypes leading to the accumulation of these mutations may be required in the early stages of tumorigenesis. To test this hypothesis, the entire coding region of DNA polymerase beta, a repair enzyme, mRNA from colorectal tumors, and corresponding normal mucosa were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and sequenced. Mutations in the catalytic domain of DNA polymerase beta were detected in colorectal tumor specimens compared to the normal colorectal mucosa, placenta, and blood samples. Since these mutations changed the structure of polymerase beta, it is expected that the efficiency of the DNA repair system would be impaired and thus may account for the high mutation rate observed in colorectal carcinomas.
Base Sequence↗
Induction of c-fos mRNA in rat brain by conditioned and unconditioned stressors.
Intense depolarizing stimuli induce the expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos which may be useful as a marker of neuronal activity. To determine if mild physical and behavioral stressors may also induce c-fos expression, we subjected rats to an unconditioned stressor (footshock) or a conditioned stressor (a tone previously paired with footshock) and measured c-fos mRNA levels in various brain regions using in situ hybridization. Removing rats from their home cage and exposing them to a tone was sufficient to cause increases in c-fos mRNA in several forebrain areas while further increases in c-fos occurred in the septum, cingulate cortex, and endopiriform nucleus in response to acute footshock stress. Both unconditioned and conditioned stressors increased c-fos mRNA levels in the locus ceruleus which correlated with stress-induced plasma corticosterone concentrations. Unconditioned footshock stress also increased c-fos mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). However, neither conditioned nor unconditioned stressors induced c-fos in the PVN in rats which had been previously exposed to footshock. C-fos appears to be a sensitive marker for stress-responsive brain areas and may be important in mediating long-term neurochemical changes that result from stress.
Acoustic Stimulation↗
Characterization of proteoglycan-reactive T cell lines and hybridomas from mice with proteoglycan-induced arthritis.
Hyperimmunization with chondroitin sulfate-depleted fetal human cartilage proteoglycan (HFPG) leads to the development of peripheral arthritis and spondylitis in BALB/c mice. Chondroitin-sulfate-depleted adult human cartilage proteoglycan (HAPG) is much less effective at inducing arthritis. These observations suggest age differences in the presence of arthritogenic proteoglycan (PG) epitopes. Earlier studies from this laboratory have indicated an important role for PG-reactive T cells in the pathogenesis of this arthritis model. To investigate further the cellular immunity to PG in mice, two T cell lines, JY.A and JY.D, and two T cell hybridomas, TH5 and TH14, were isolated from mice with PG-induced arthritis and characterized. Two patterns of reactivity to PG emerged from the analysis of these T cells. One pattern, as demonstrated by the T cell line JY.D and the two T cell hybridomas, TH5 and TH14, was characterized by reactivity to HFPG, HAPG, chondroitin sulfate-depleted bovine cartilage PG, the G1 domain (hyaluronate binding region) of bovine cartilage PG and bovine link protein. The epitope(s) recognized by these T cells appear to be part of the homologous regions shared between the G1 domain and the link protein. The second pattern of reactivity, as demonstrated by the T cell line JY.A, was characterized by reactivity to HFPG but not to HAPG or the other PG Ag or bovine link protein. All the T cell lines and hybridomas had a CD4+, CD8- phenotype, possibly belonged to the TH1 subset (IL-2+, IL-4-), and were MHC class II restricted. These studies indicate that HFPG has T cell epitopes in common with HAPG (such as in the G1 domain) and different than those in HAPG. The significance of this data in terms of PG structure, changes with age, and induction of arthritis remains to be established.
Animals↗
Promoting action of cashew nut shell oil in DMBA-initiated mouse skin tumour model system.
The commercially available oil derived from the shell of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) was tested for its potency in promoting the DMBA-initiated cells into papillomas in a murine two-stage skin tumorigenesis model system. Male Swiss albino mice (9-10-weeks-old) were assorted into different groups and treated topically with single sub-carcinogenic doses of DMBA (50 micrograms in 0.1 ml acetone) followed by application of 1% and 2% shell oil in acetone three times a week. Animals were sacrificed after 20 weeks from the commencement of the experiment. The results imply a weak tumour promoting effect of cashew nut shell oil as the mean tumour incidences were found to be 1.1 and 2.5 in 1% and 2% oil treatment groups, respectively, while the corresponding figure vas 6.6 in the positive control group (DMBA and 1% croton oil in acetone). Few speculative mechanisms for the observed effect of cashew nut shell oil on initiated skin are discussed.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗
Restricted heterogeneity in T-cell antigen receptor V beta gene usage in the lymph nodes and arthritic joints of mice.
We have used PCR to study the expression of T-cell antigen receptor beta RNA containing particular variable region (V) elements from transcripts directly in the cells isolated from joints and lymph nodes of B10.Q mice (H-2q) immunized with chicken type II collagen. Our data show that the T cells present in arthritic joints expressed only a few V beta transcripts--V beta 2, -6, -7, -8.2, -9, -10, and -15. V beta 6 and -8.2 were expressed predominantly (six out of seven animals) while others were expressed at a relatively low level in different animals. In lymph node cells, transcripts for V beta 6, -8.2, and -9 were detected in four out of seven animals. The data indicate that in collagen-induced arthritis there is a restrictive usage of TCR V beta elements and that V beta 6 and -8.2 are probably used preferentially.
Animals↗